Coach optimistic despite inconsistencies

EAST BEND — Three weeks ago Forbush baseball was 5-0. There was room for improvement, but it was still a good start.

Now the Falcons are 3-4 in their last seven heading into the second half of the season.

“It’s not where I wanted us to be,” Forbush Coach Denny Key said. “We’re still struggling to do the things we need to do every game.”

Key said before this season he knew where his team stood going into each game; whether they’d win; whether they’d have trouble. He said he could tell by how they were warming up before a game. “I have not been able to peg that this year,” he said.

While the Falcons started 5-o, Key said in two of those games, “we were lucky. We didn’t win them; the other team lost them.”

In the other three games, “we played solid fundamental baseball,” Key said. “We made people pay for there mistakes.”

Since then the Falcons have been inconsistent. However, there have been plenty of positives.

“I’ve had some very good performances from (Barrett) Hennings,” Key said. “He’s doing a nice job getting things started for us. Seems like every time he gets a hit, it’s a double or a triple.”

Protecting Hennings in the lineup is Neil Hutchens. “Neil’s good with the bat behind him,” Key said. “Neil’s been making people pay for being careful with Barrett.”

Two junior pitchers also are getting it done for Forbush, Carson Fulp and Brett Fulk. “They’ve done a real nice job,” Key said. “Our pitching is beginning to solidify now. These guys are really starting to step up a little bit. I just need the rest of the team to step up behind the pitching; take some of the pressure off the pitchers.”

While the Falcons have been inconsistent, Key remains upbeat. “I’ve had flashes of brilliance from everybody,” he said.

Forbush is on the road for three games this week and for another game next Tuesday. They return home to face Carver April 25.

Jim Fuller may be reached at 336-835-1513 or on Twitter @elkinareasports.

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